Furthermore, developments expected in southern Lebanon, before or after the forthcoming Rome round, do not suggest any easing in the implementation of the core clause of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel. This is due to Israeli rigidity, “propped up” by Hezbollah, which provides Israel with every justification to maintain an escalating stance, thereby discrediting the commitments of the Lebanese authorities in favor of keeping Iranian influence alive and operational. This allows Tehran to exploit that influence as a bargaining chip with Washington, whether through renewed and updated operational orders that Hezbollah may receive amid the renewed U.S.-Iranian confrontation and the approaching U.S. and Israeli election deadlines this fall.
